Globalisation is now seen as a threat in many countries. This is, to a large extent, because people feel a sense of powerlessness and have no say or sense of control over global forces. This view is gaining credence, fuelling the growth of populism and extremism and forcing a retreat into narrow forms of identity that undermine cohesion. We therefore need to democratise international bodies and agencies. A citizen-elected UN Parliamentary Assembly will create the opportunity to discuss and influence decisions beyond our borders. This will also help to develop a much greater sense of joint purpose and common humanity and break down the divisions based on nationality, ethnicity and faith that are presently the cause of so many tensions and conflicts.

Ted Cantle, Founder of the Institute of Community Cohesion Foundation; visiting professor at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, 2017